Colonialism
- The Age of Discovery

 

First of all, thank you for downloading my scenario. 


After seven different beta versions and extensive play testing for 5 months, the scenario is ready for release.



History:
The Vikings were the first Europeans to reach the Americas, starting but then abandoning a colonisation process.

The first phase of modern European activity in this region began with the oceanic crossings of Christopher Columbus (1492-1500). 1492 marked the discovery of the Americas by modern Europeans and it was not long after this that Castile began the conquest of South America and the Caribbean.

Improvements in technology made the European voyages of exploration possible and made the clash between different cultures inevitable. The riches of gold and land in the New World intensified Old World rivalries and began a commercial revolution. Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Habsburg Spain, vied for world dominance.



The time: 1516-1789
The objective: Build an empire and take over the world, in one way or the other.



Civilizations:

1. Portuguese:
The Portuguese are certainly one of the civs that starts off well. It has found its route to India and has established several trade posts on the way, all the way from Europe, around Cape Horn and up to the Indian Ocean. It has also started its colonization of the Americas, in what is today Brazil. The only downside to the Portuguese is that they have only two cities in Europe, so keep on to them as if it was your life. In game terms it is! Many civs may envy their growing power and great seamanship, so be aware

2. Dutch
In this scen the Dutch struggle for independence has started earlier than in real life history for game play reasons. So, right off the bat you start off at war with the Habsburgs. Unite the Dutch provinces and set sail for the new lands. It may seem gloomy at start but just you wait until you get the Merchant Shipping tech. Then you can begin to build the superior transport unit Fluyte. 

3. French
France are just now experiencing a time of relative peace with its neighbours, after years of destructive wars. Just now can France focus on internal development. With some smart play the French should be able to build themselves up to be a definite force to be reckoned with.

4. Habsburgs
Archduke Charles, later Emp. Charles V, succeeded his grandfather, King Ferdinand II of
Spain, and founded the Hapsburg dynasty. The Habsburgs then gain control of the rich Spanish colonies in the New World. The Habsburgs is definitely a civ with great potentials. Play them well and you could easily grow up as the big brother of Europe, or even the World.

5. English
Although it was on the whole only a moderately successful power in military terms, England became one of the wealthiest states in medieval Europe, due chiefly to its dominance in the lucrative wool market. England is also designed so that it may grow up to be a force to be reckoned with. Play them well, concentrate on naval units and you may threaten the other dominant powers such as the Habsburgs and the Portuguese.

6. European (AI)
The European civ is a big civ consisting of several European countries and states that you should treat with respect. It may get techs to build some rather strong units and you dont want them directed at you. So, be nice to them and theyll be nice to you.

7. Ottomans (AI)
The Ottomans is mighty aggressive and should be carefully watched. Hopefully theyll concentrate their force on expansion into Mesopotamia, if not theyll most likely go for you. Theyre not very fond of the Christian Europeans. Right off the bat they start off at war with the Habsburgs and the European AI civ.

(8. Heathens  barbarian civ)
Consisting of primitive tribes and cities around the world, ready to be subjugated.



Historical compromises:

Since this is a scenario that stretches from 1516, with the death of King Ferdinand II, and ends in 1789, with the French Revolution, I had to change history a bit in order to include the Dutch. In the beginning of this scenario the Netherlands is united, but the Habsburgs still have control over what is today Belgium and Luxembourg. And the Dutch are at war with the Habsburgs right off the bat. You may however sue for peace if that is your wish, and settle down as king of the independent Netherlands.

The Habsburg doesn't control Burgundy either, it is French controlled here.

I've also made some compromises with the Ottomans, in regards to the cities they control. For instance they didn't take Belgrade for another few years.



Trade is very important:

I have tried to simulate as best possible the importance of parasitizing a mercantilistic economic policy. The tech paradigm is high and you will have to rely on raw materials from you colonies to boost trade and get maximum gold (Ducat) bonuses. So, what you should do is establish a colony, and use it to rush build the unit Colonial Goods (which is the same as a freighter), and ship it back to the Old World for maximum profit. Make sure you protect your colonies against wild savages around the globe.



Latin translations:

In medieval educational theory the trivium consisted of grammar, rhetoric, and logic. These were considered preparatory fields for the quadrivium, which was made up of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. In turn, the quadrivium was considered preparatory work for the serious study of philosophy and theology.

Peace: Absentia Belli (Latin: absence of disturbance or agitation)
Cease Fire:  Modus Vivendi (Latin: armistice)
War: Casus Belli (Latin: Reason for war)



Game hint:

Mind the Ottomans, as they have a strong military, and might backstab you when you are occupied with wars against natives. Make sure you keep them content.



House Rules:

SOME SUGGESTED HOUSE RULES:
	No civ specific units exchange between civs
	No rehoming of caravans
	Diplomats can only be used during peace time.



Different victory conditions:

In 246 turns, which is the game length, heres what you must achieve to win:
#1: World Dominance: Control the entire world, either by alliances or alone.
#2: Technological: First one to reach Industrial Revolution Tech (Future Technology)
#3: Conquest: Destroy 3 civilisations.
#4: World War: Win or be one the winning side of a world war



Credits:

Special thanks:

Pablostuka and CDG for hosting my scenarios! More of my scenarios at my forum can be found here: 
http://www.cdgroup.org/Home/index.php?c=21 

John Ellis (Patient English), Henrik Lohmander, Morten Blaabjerg (Hardjoy) and Mr. Petrazickis (St. Leo). They all answered positive to my request of using bits and pieces from their own brilliant Age of Discovery era scenarios. I have used some icons and tech tree names here and there.

My source scens have been:
Primary: Historibus Europae by Henrik Lohmander, Colonies IV by John Ellis, Spanish Armada by Morten Blaabjerg and The Big Little Ice Age by St. Leo. 
Secondary: I have also looked for inspiration in Modern Age by Exile and The Rape of Nations by Kobayashi from time to time.

Thanks guys for making such great scenarios which together inspired me to make this one.

Graphics:

Units:
Special thanks to Gareth aka Fairline for his amazing units. His units have made this scenario look magnificent, as with dozens of other scens.

Also, a special thanks to BeBro, which has made nearly all the fantastic ship graphics.

Others worth mentioning are Tanelorn, Alex the Magnificent and St leo.


Cities:
All flags by me, following the Sarsstock template.
The French and Ottoman city style by BeBro.
European city style by Hardjoy (Morten Blaabjerg)

Icons:
Wonders: The British East India Company, Renaissance Humanism, Silk Road to China, Francis Drake, Spanish Armada, Trade Route to India, the vatican and United Provinces wonder icon by me.
Improvements: Many of the improvement icons are by Hardjoy (Morten Blaabjerg)

All flags icons by me. Also, the icons describing the different tech types modified and/or made by me.

Map:
Thank you Exile for letting me use your fantastic world map.

Title:
The fantastic title graphic was made by the amazingly talented Saarstock.


Play testers:

Many thanks to the play testers!

CDG PBEM play testers:
	Nilat
	Jim Panse 
	FiGu
	Jamesjkirk

Free-lance play testers which I owe a great deal of thank yous:
	Patient English (John Ellis)
	conmcb25
	Rebel












Feel free to contact me anytime! ?
My email address that I check out regularly: eivindae@yahoo.no 

Find more of my scenarios here: 
http://www.cdgroup.org/Home/index.php?c=21                                      (Released February 2005)
